HARRISBURG -- Dan Kunze is a community college honors student on full scholarship.

He has studied hard, written countless research papers and learned to think analytically, but West Chester University, the state university in his area, wouldn't accept all of his credits.

State lawmakers want to make it easier for students like Mr. Kunze, 20, of Montgomery County, to transfer to State System of High Education universities.

They're considering legislation requiring community colleges and state universities to streamline course content and ensure that credits for core subjects earned at one school are transferable to any of the others. Private and state-related universities eventually may be asked to participate, too.

That's good news to Rich Laughner, a transfer counselor at Butler County Community College and chairman of the Western Pennsylvania Transfer Advisory Council.

"I've been to countless meetings dealing with [credit transfers]. Frankly, they have gone nowhere. The meetings are filled with great intentions, but nothing gets done," Mr. Laughner testified last week during a public hearing before the Senate Education Committee.

"I believe legislation is going to be needed to move us forward."

Meanwhile, he said, "our Pennsylvania students are taking unnecessary courses or repeating courses."

State Sen. James J. Rhoades says that's why he proposed the legislation being considered. State Rep. Josh Shapiro, D-Montgomery, has proposed a similar bill in the House.

"It's expensive to repeat courses. What a toll it takes in terms of time, energy and money," said Mr. Rhoades, R-Schuylkill.

His bill would require college administrators to establish statewide transfer policies and procedures. If the schools don't comply within a year, the state Department of Education would develop the policies and procedures for them.

Some are reluctant because they don't want to relinquish control of course content.

Currently, each college develops its own course content and makes its own decision about whether to accept credits from other schools. Most colleges already have transfer agreements with specific partners and for specific programs.

Administrators who spoke at the hearing want a universal system.

"It makes little sense that what works for one [State System of Higher Education] school simply does not work for another," said Nicholas C. Neupauer, vice president for academic affairs at Butler County Community College. "What works as a transfer course for one institution does not work for another."

Mr. Kunze is hoping for a resolution by 2008 when his sister is expected to start Montgomery County Community College.

"I hope when she finishes she will be able to go to West Chester with as little problems as possible," he said.